Soil improvement in established beds

[BuckingFrolics]

I bought a house partly for its glorious garden - well-established beds with year round colour. Bulbs, corms, all sorts. The soil is compacted and not in good heart.

I'm concerned that if I try and dig, I'll be damaging all the good stuff planted in there.

But I must improve the soil.

How do I do this? Pile compost and soil improver on top of the beds in the autumn? I'm concerned that would simply create a layer on top and not get down to the plants' roots.

Can anyone help? What should I do?

There is a company called Compost Direct who have the most amazing range of compost. They are very helpful if you email them. The worms will usually take the compost down into the soil, but if there are not worms then it will sit on top . Speak to them as they are the experts.

Grow bags are cheap, just empty them out and spread it all on the ground and use a hand fork to mix it in the top inch or so. I always put all my spent compost from pots and tubs on as well.

The worms will move it about, and the rain washes nutrients down into the soil around the roots anyway.

Mulch. Pile up mulch and if you can fork it in in areas you know nothing is growing. That should help.

Yes, the worms will take it down. Mulch 6 inches deep once a year. After five years the soil will be transformed.